In this episode of the Women Who Give podcast, host Alex Townsend speaks with Elizabeth Thomson, a Canadian solicitor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Elizabeth shares her journey into philanthropy, her experiences with the Amber Foundation, and her commitment to empowering ethnic minority women through scholarships and mentorship programs. The conversation explores the definition of philanthropy, the importance of networks, and the barriers women face in the philanthropic sector. Elizabeth emphasizes the need for education and mentorship in charitable giving, drawing parallels between running a charity and a business. In this conversation, Elizabeth L Thomson shares her journey from running a charity out of her apartment to establishing impactful programs that empower women and address community needs. She emphasizes the importance of accountability in philanthropy, the need for inclusivity in Hong Kong, and the dynamics of family decision-making in their charitable endeavors. Elizabeth offers valuable advice for aspiring philanthropists and discusses future aspirations for expanding their charitable impact.

Elizabeth and The Amber Foundation are currently seeking summer internship opportunities, group leaders for their Health Sciences, STEM, and Finance groups, and venue sponsors for their workshops. Anyone interested in supporting the future of ethnic minority young women in Hong Kong is encouraged to get in touch. https://www.theamberfoundation.org/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Philanthropy and Elizabeth Thompson

02:48 Defining Philanthropy: Elizabeth's Perspective

04:45 Early Experiences and the Birth of the Amber Foundation

08:57 Empowering Ethnic Minority Women through Scholarships

11:48 Workplace Preparation and Mentorship Programs

15:55 The Role of Networks in Philanthropy

17:10 The Need for Mentorship in Philanthropy

18:31 Barriers for Women in Philanthropy

21:15 Lessons Learned in Running a Charity

21:29 From Apartment to Charity: The Journey Begins

24:39 The Importance of Accountability in Philanthropy

27:45 Inclusivity and Community Engagement in Hong Kong

30:14 Family Dynamics in Philanthropic Decision-Making

34:20 Advice for Aspiring Philanthropists

37:10 Future Aspirations and Expanding Impact

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Meenal Sachdev, a social impact leader working at the crossroads of business, government, and civil society. Meenal shares her grassroots work addressing modern slavery, her unique perspective on philanthropy, and her vision to empower women as changemakers in their communities and beyond.

** This episode contains discussions of sex work, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. Some listeners may find these topics distressing.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Meenal transitioned from traditional philanthropy to systemic, systemic change-driven initiatives
• The importance of lived experience and survivor voices in shaping effective social impact work
• Building collaborative, cross-sectoral strategies to combat modern slavery and exploitation
• Women's roles in philanthropy: breaking stereotypes, increasing visibility, and expanding influence
• The long-term, systems-level approach needed for meaningful social change
• The challenges of measuring impact
• Meenal's upcoming role as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and her future plans
• Practical advice for philanthropists and change-makers committed to responsible, inclusive giving

Resources & Links:

• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Stepwell Alliance
• High Sheriff of Hertfordshire

Connect with Meenal Sachdev:

• LinkedIn
• X

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Meenal Sachdev and her impactful work

02:12 - Redefining philanthropy: moving beyond charity to systemic change

03:45 - The importance of survivor voices and lived experience in philanthropy

05:38 - Meenal’s journey into tackling modern slavery through cross-sector collaboration

09:12 - Building policy frameworks and practical tools for lasting impact

11:31 - The perception of women as philanthropists and breaking stereotypes

12:52 - Women’s holistic approach to giving: time, talent, treasure, and trust

14:18 - Harsh realities faced in India: supporting women and girls in brothel settings

19:53 - The limitations of rescue efforts and the importance of systemic change

21:19 - Long-term solutions: prevention, economic alternatives, and systemic reform

25:17 - Barriers women face in leadership and decision-making in philanthropy

26:41 - Strategies for increasing women’s visibility and influence in giving

33:03 - Practical guidance for responsible, impactful philanthropy

36:07 - The importance of sustained investment and long-term commitment

37:36 - Women’s deeper engagement in philanthropy and systemic impact

42:16 - Meenal’s upcoming role as High Sheriff and her vision for Hertfordshire

44:00 - The future of women's empowerment and collaborative community action

46:33 - Closing remarks and appreciation for Meenal’s inspiring work

This episode offers actionable insights into responsible philanthropy, the importance of long-term systemic change, and empowering women as catalysts for social progress. Whether you're a seasoned donor or new to social impact, Meenal's experiences and advice will inspire you to think differently about your role in creating a better world.

Are women interested in giving philanthropic gifts to higher education institutions in the UK? If so, what are institutions doing to strategically engage women in a unique and intentional way?

These questions served as the genesis for this podcast and will be answered in this engaging episode where we hear from Alexa Charlton, Head of Individual Major Giving, whose team lead on the Women's Giving Circle at Newcastle University.

Newcastle University is truly pioneering how to engage and raise funds from diverse audiences in higher education. In fact, they are one of the only UK universities the Women Who Give Podcast has been able to find that offers a women-centric way of giving in the UK higher education space.

Join us to learn more about The Women's Giving Circle, which was established in 2010, and hear how it is evolving to raise some of its largest gifts from prominent female alumnae and regional philanthropists.

Learn more about The Women's Giving Circle at Newcastle University here:

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/news/item/womens-giving-circle-scholarship/